If you are like most business professionals, you have at least heard of or even watched Simon Sinek's Start With Why TED Talk, which in the moment of writing this has 11.5M views on YouTube alone.

I have been intrigued about the concept of the WHY and my WHY specifically ever since I first watched the video of Sinek. As it often happens, the haunting need to know returned in April 2023 (if it had ever left, that is), and I decided to go to the source and do the online courses that one can find on Sinek's website.

The whole process consists of four parts - Start with WHY, Refine Your WHY, Apply Your WHY and Live Your WHY. These are online meetings with an instructor from the Optimism Company (Simon Sinek's organisation). The first session is the longest - it takes two hours, because you are working to unearth and spell out your WHY, but the other three are an hour long. I mostly had the same group of people on the calls, with the tendency to have fewer with each call which is normal, especially as the four classes are not a bundle but something you opt in for separately and they happen on different days too.

Anyhow, these are the technical details and having those out of the way, let's move to the fun part of the course.

THE PROCESS OF FINDING YOUR WHY

I truly enjoyed the work with the group and the instructor really helped create a safe space for so many complete strangers. We were quickly asked to pair up and discover our WHYs together. The process is broken down into steps and without giving up too much of the sauce, I will tell you it is all based on stories - your stories and those of your fellow classmates. What surprised me was that it was not me finding my WHY, but the other person who spelled it out for me, as I did the same for them. Then it comes the fun play with words, trying to find the best fit in the formula “To (contribution), so that (impact).”

The first version of my WHY was “To empower people, so that they don’t settle.”

REFINING & APPLYING YOUR WHY

The second class helps you clarify your WHY, finding if there is correlation between contribution and impact, among other things. There is some pair work again, but of course, it is not necessary that you will do that with your partner from the first class. Here I arrives at the final version of my WHY “To inspire others, so that we don’t settle.” Subtle change, yet it felt so much more powerful and more true to me.
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You might be thinking that this might be enough, but I’d still encourage you to go through with the whole process, as the next step - applying your WHY, is very interesting in helping you activate the whole Golden Circle (that’s the WHY in the middle, followed by the bigger circle of the HOW, which is in turn surrounded by the even bigger circle of the WHAT). In this one hour you go through all other parts helping you crystalize the whole and what each means for you.

LIVING YOUR WHY

My main takeaway from the final class was finding a way to be constantly reminded of my WHY and making sure I check with it when I find myself at crossroads. Having a symbol helps a lot with this or using a colour. That’s how the strawberry took a more prominent place in my life - the symbol of my WHY. It was interesting to be shown the subtle ways Simon Sinek himself uses orange as a reminder of his WHY.

It is a powerful concept, a fun and engaging process that helps you find your core, spell it out for yourself and the world. This in turn gives you the ability to live truly aligned with your own self and move away from “living by accident” to living “on purpose” as the course description states. The course is suitable to everyone. What are you waiting for?

Stay inspired. Keep inspiring.

I submitted my application on December 31, 2021, just hours before ringing in the New Year, believing the symbolic date might bolster my chances of getting into the program. I had long hoped to afford it, and when the opportunity arose, I didn’t hesitate to hit send and raise a glass to the New Year and, hopefully, a new experience.

I didn’t realise how perfectly this beginning encapsulated Seth Godin's altMBA until I wrote my first note in the dedicated course file: Take a step, celebrate it, and make it the beginning! To start, all I needed was belief that the program would edge me closer to the person I was ready to become. While I coveted the prestige of saying, "I've completed the altMBA," I gained something far more valuable - a new perspective to life and the world around me.

More than a year has passed since I completed the program, and it has profoundly changed me, both personally and professionally. I genuinely believe that without the altMBA's worldview-changing experience, I wouldn’t be where I am today. Even if you aren’t seeking something that can entirely alter your life (though, why wouldn’t you?), I argue that a good measure for the value of any program is the lessons that remain.

Here are the lessons still guiding my life, months later:

1. Just starting: I can find a million reasons why I shouldn't start, but starting now is always better than waiting another day.
2. Setting goals: I now ensure to make plans in writing, including a detailed description of the goal, anticipated benefits, expected obstacles, necessary skills, a comprehensive action plan, a list of supporters, and, of course, a deadline.
3. Choosing ideas: The altMBA taught me why I should write down my numerous ideas, how to structure them, and essential principles in deciding which to pursue, especially challenging when doubts begin to creep in.
4. Identifying change agents: When I desire change, I consciously pause to understand the change agent pushing me in a new direction. I then revisit or update my goals to ensure this new direction truly makes sense.
5. Grappling with sunk costs: Despite past investments, I don't have to persist with something that no longer serves me. I can change my mind.
6. The power of framing: Everything boils down to how the situation is framed. I control how I move the pieces on my chessboard and have the power to change the narrative.
7. Asking questions: The magic of human connection lies in asking questions and allowing people space to answer. The program has made me more aware of this approach and the simple remedy of inquiry.
8. Leading from any chair: Leadership doesn’t require a specific position or credentials; it needs the courage to take the lead with genuine intentions.
9. Going for enrollment: To effect change, I need to involve others in the narrative, be open, find commonalities, and build from there.
10. Remaining true to myself: Realising I am not my title, was huge for me. And the fact that I can give the world so much more by honouring who I am.

+1 Generous feedback and the power of community: The altMBA thrives on a community that supports the individual and provides generous feedback. The aim is to be there for others, celebrating and empowering them to continue. The best part - the community remains open to support each individual even after the program ends.

In summary, if you are looking for a program that will open your eyes and propel you from dreaming to doing, this is it. It's your time to leap - with an open mind and heart. The program takes a month, which may feel like an eternity, but it will genuinely catapult you light-years from where you started.

I'm forever grateful for this life-changing experience.

Stay inspired. Keep inspiring.

After beginning a new job a few months ago and navigating a challenging personal situation shortly after, my enthusiasm for taking courses waned. I found myself entirely focused on meeting the demands of each day. But I recently realized that I was missing the challenge and joy that learning brings me. I am ready to recommit, and I'd love to share my game plan with you so that you can join me. After all, we are entering a new season with autumn slowly approaching in the Western hemisphere, which means more time at home and more opportunities for purposeful screen time.

Financing courses

Like many of you, I work full-time, and some of the courses I want to pursue align with my job's requirements. For these courses, I feel comfortable discussing budget allowances with my employer. Additionally, I plan to request an hour each week during work hours to dedicate to the course, which is an additional investment for my employer.

For courses related to my personal interests, I'm covering the costs myself. I always keep an eye out for scholarships to help bridge the financial gap. I find platforms like Udemy particularly useful for their affordability and quality. If you're a solo worker, such as a freelancer or solopreneur, ensure you allocate an annual budget to reinvest in yourself and remain competitive in your field.

Finding time

I've mentioned this other posts too, but it bears repeating: scheduling dedicated study time is essential. If you plan to fit learning into random moments of your day or week, you'll likely find those moments do not exist. If your employer sponsors a course, discuss which day is suitable for setting aside time for study. Personally, I prefer Friday mornings, but choose a time that aligns with your schedule and maybe even your chronotype (your natural daily energy rhythm).

For personal interests, try to dedicate small chunks of time outside working hours or block longer periods (one or two hours) on the weekends. Spending just 10-15 minutes drawing in the morning has been perfect for me, satisfying my desire to learn and practice without overwhelming my schedule. I still schedule these sessions, understanding that I may miss some. The goal is consistency, not perfection.

Key to this time-blocking strategy is updating your calendar throughout the day. This practice allows you to reflect on your week, make necessary adjustments, and gain insights into optimizing your time, especially when adding intensive activities like learning.

Understanding why

It's essential to be clear about why you want to learn a new skill and precisely what you want to learn. This clarity can significantly impact your learning experience. If you'd like more detailed guidance on this, I cover it in this post.

Once you make a decision, commit to it. Adjust the pace as needed, but unless the course is a complete mismatch, stick with it until the end. You'll be glad you did.

I'm personally committing to my first course, Writing With Flair: How To Become An Exceptional Writer with Shani Raja (I review it in more detail in this post). I know it will benefit my role as an editor at a magazine. My fun course will focus on drawing, an area I'd like to explore further.

If you're still unsure about the value of lifelong learning, consider the recently published Future of Jobs Report 2023 by the World Economic Forum (WEF). It reveals that "six in 10 workers will require training before 2027, but only half of workers have access to adequate training opportunities today." Gift that opportunity to yourself. The time to upskill, and recommit, is now.

Stay inspired. Keep inspiring.